War
rages in deep space between a race of
female warriors known as the Solonoids and
a ruthless bio-mechanical civilization called the Paranoids. The reason
for the war really is not divulged, but they have been fighting for years and
are actually on the verge of destroying each other with the invention of a
System Destroyer that can wipe our entire civilizations. However,
unbeknownst to the military of both sides, an agreement has been reached between
the two races that will result in a third being and a possible end to the war.

What
looks like eventual peace is anything but that and caught in the middle of this
secret agreement is a small force of Solonoidfighters who have been separated
from their main fleet in battle. Their ship, known as the Star Leaf,
begins to search for Chaos, a planet paradise, but on their way, they discover
that a creature has stowed away on their ship and a hybrid life form begins to
develop in the body of a woman attacked by the alien being. Now, the group
must overcome the odds stacked against them and keep themselves safe from the
Paranoids, their own race and the unknown before them.

Gall Force, which on paper looks like it could be a cheap excuse to show naked
animated babes on the screen, is actually a very interesting trilogy of original
movies that are not really original at all. Right from the beginning,
viewers well versed in their science fiction will note that the film is very
similar to Battlestar Galactica in that the Star Leafis
separated from their
fleet and in search of a planet they can call home. Suddenly, the story
shifts gears and becomes more like the Aliensaga, not just because of the
stowed away alien, but also because of another being discovered amongst them and
the conspiracy that is also uncovered. There are also nods to Star Wars'Endor chase scene and such anime fare as Robotech just to name a few. Yet,
for some strange reason, with all that seems unoriginal, this series comes
together to form a very unique tale that also sends a message about war and its
consequences, as many Japanese anime do.

The obvious similarities with
other titles is evident throughout the series. A trained eye can tell
these things, but will also note that it is less evident as the series moves on,
creating a unique identity for itself. After the events of Gall Force Eternal War, the titles decrease in its running time, but
increase in its complexity.

Gall Force 2 Destruction follows one of the more interesting characters from the
first series, Lufy, who appeared to be on the verge of dying early on in
the film, but is revived, only to learn that the Planet Destroyer has
been used to wipe out her home world. Before it can be used again on the
last remaining outpost of her people, Lufy must lead a rag-tag group of
women into battle, including one familiar face that gets more exposure in the
third entry.

Gall Force 3 Stardust Warfollows one of the
cyborg creatures, Catty, who has finally
achieved her mission of creating a new race of beings and now must help the
Solonoidfriends she has made defeat the Paranoids in one last battle
with everything hanging in the balance.

This all
continues in a fourth entry called Rhea Gall Force which is set in the future
and is set on Earth. Humans discover
technology from the first trilogy and
use it, both the good and bad aspects, resulting in a very Terminator-like
future with the resurrected Paranoids taking over and a group of very familiar
warriors sprouting up to fight back and save Earth. Put together, this
anime series becomes one epic tale of war and self-preservation.

Created
some time ago, viewers might be turned off a little by the animation, which does
improve slightly in each disc, more so in Rhea Gall Force, but like
Voltron and
other titles from back in the day, somehow Gall Force still stands the test of
time. Its release as a box set is a testament to its staying power.
The characters are very interesting, some cooler than others. The
storyline as a whole, despite combining so much material fro the vaults of
science fiction past, is rather inspired and will keep viewers guessing and
sitting at the edge of their seats. However, the driving force behind
Gall
Force, besides well-placed shower scenes and interesting dream sequences, is its
action sequences. Dog fights in space and battles on the ground;
explosions, somewhat surprising deaths, aliens, mecha and more; there is
literally something for every science fiction fan.